title: Clinical and microbiological comparison of three non-surgical protocols for the initial treatment of chronic periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical and microbiological effects of three protocols for nonsurgical periodontal therapy, including full-mouth scaling and root planing plus systemic antibiotics, on the treatment of chronic periodontitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis, selected according to specific criteria, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: quadrant scaling, full-mouth scaling, and full-mouth scaling supplemented by systemic antibiotics. Antibiotic selection was based on the results of individual susceptibility testing. Oral hygiene instructions and reinforcement were given during the study. All patients received a clinical periodontal and microbiological examination at baseline and at reexamination, 4-6 weeks after therapy. Means and standard deviations were calculated and differences between groups were analyzed via the Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the study sample was 49.1 + 11.6 years old, and there were 17 men and 12 women. Patients treated with antibiotics showed antimicrobial susceptibility for amoxicillin and doxycycline. All study groups showed a similar significant improvement in periodontal parameters. Plaque scores were reduced in a range of 29.0% to 42.6%. Bleeding on probing was reduced by 34.8% to 55.0%; the reduction for the full-mouth scaling group was larger. Mean reduction in pocket depth was 1.2 to 1.3 mm in all groups. Mean bacterial counts were reduced in the groups receiving full-mouth treatment, but not in the quadrant treatment group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three protocols for non-surgical periodontal treatment demonstrated a similar positive effect on clinical parameters; however, only full-mouth treatment groups showed a reduction in anaerobic microbial counts at re-examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontal System, School of Dentistry, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40-62, Edificio de Odontologia, Bogota, Colombia. serrano-c@javeriana.edu.co
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Nidia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bejarano
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavie
authors.forename: María Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Castellanos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D004318:Doxycycline